Thanks to YOU!, and everyone else involved in this spectacular, beautiful event.
Alecia's story | Make Your Mark | Awareness | Guestbook | Home
YOU! makes its mark with New Year's fundraiser
BY MIEKE MADRID, HERALD REPORTER
EVANSTON – There’s a definite buzz emanating from the center of the Youth Opportunities Unlimited! (YOU!) group facility in downtown Evanston, and it has nothing to do with honey-making insects. Rather, the buzz has to do with the excitement over the upcoming New Year’s celebration that will take place at the Machine Shop that evening. According to YOU! Vista AmeriCorps volunteer Jessie Barnes, this New Year’s party will be one to remember, as it will host a variety of activities for both youths and their families, including games and crafts.
“I think this will be a really, really special night,” said Barnes of the celebration hosted by YOU!, the City of Evanston and Uinta County 4-H. “I think YOU! will make its mark on the community.”
Coincidentally, the evening will feature a fundraiser for the Make Your Mark Foundation, a local organization launched by student, Alecia Hall, who passed away earlier this year from a rare form of cancer. The Make Your Mark Foundation invites area citizens to “make their mark” on the community by promoting generosity, courage, kindness and tolerance.
Whether it’s donating to the local food bank, reading a story to a group of youngsters at the library, or making Christmas ornaments for the homebound, everyone can participate in the Make Your Mark Foundation. Reciprocally, the foundation can help prospective individuals and groups make their act of generosity a reality.
“In the community of Evanston, it doesn’t matter how young you are or how little you have, you can make a difference,” Barnes emphasized.
During the fundraising celebration, which begins at 7 p.m., various raffles, as well as activity booths will be held in order to assist the burgeoning foundation. Booth space is currently available for individuals, families and organizations for a minimal fee of $1 per person or $5 per family.
At 9 p.m., an early “Kids’ Countdown” will be featured for youngsters, and from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m., a community dance will be held with the musical talents of J-Dog, a deejay business operated by local youths. The evening will also feature the talents of Pro Video Productions that will record the night’s events. At 11:30 p.m., Mayor Mark Harris will lead partygoers in a glow stick parade to Depot Square for the official New Year’s countdown, ball drop and fireworks.
YOU! wishes to preemptively thank Mark Madia for the public service announcements, Porter’s Fireworks for the glow sticks, as well as 4-H, the Strand Theatre and the Evanston Child Development Center for their many contributions.
“It will be one spectacular event,” said Barnes.
For more information about the New Year’s celebration, please contact Jessie or Cyndi at 444-4YOU or to learn more about the Make Your Mark Foundation; please visit the foundation’s website at aleciasmakeyourmark.com. To make donations, please send gifts to the Alecia’s Make Your Mark Fund, c/o Trona Valley Credit Union, 524 Front Street, Evanston, WY 82930.